The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
April 15, 2025
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The Florida Bar
COLLIER COUNTY LEGAL AID HONORS GEORGE A. WILSON AS A CHAMPION OF JUSTICE
The Florida Bar | Article | April 15, 2025
George A. Wilson of Wilson & Johnson in Naples has been named the 2025 Champion of Justice Award honoree by the Legal Aid Service of Collier County (LASCC). The award will be presented on May 1 at LASCC’s Rockin’ Blues Bash fundraiser at The Maddox in Naples. Carol O’Callaghan, LASCC’s regional deputy executive director, praised Wilson for his contributions to the legal aid program, including financial support, pro bono service, and board participation. Wilson and his firm have notably supported LASCC’s annual Wills for Heroes event, which provides estate plans to veterans, police officers, and firefighters. The Champion of Justice Award recognizes individuals or organizations that significantly support LASCC’s mission through donations, volunteer work, or raising awareness, and who help make Collier County a better place to live. The fundraiser event is open to the public.
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Legal Profession
AVE MARIA UNSEATS FIU LAW AS TOP PERFORMER IN FLORIDA’S FEBRUARY BAR EXAM
Daily Business Review | Article | April 14, 2025
On Monday [April 14], the Florida Board of Bar Examiners released the results of the February 2025 bar exam. Ave Maria School of Law ranked first with an 87.5% passage rate, surpassing Florida International University College of Law, which had held the top spot for several years. Ave Maria had seven of eight first-time takers pass the Feb. 25–26 exam in Tampa. Dean John Czarnetzky expressed pride in both the students and faculty, crediting strong instruction and bar prep support. FIU followed with a 76.5% passage rate, and St. Thomas University College of Law came in third at 75%. The overall passage rate among 553 first-time applicants was 64.9%. Barry University School of Law had the lowest rate at 46.8%, with 29 of 62 first-time takers passing. Florida State University and Stetson University tied for the second-lowest rate, each with 60%.
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Judiciary
EIGHTH CIRCUIT JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AFTER CHIEF JUDGE RETIRES
The Gainesville Sun | Article | April 14, 2025
The Eighth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications to fill the seat of Chief Judge Mark W. Moseley, who has retired. Moseley served as chief judge since 2021 and handled civil, probate, guardianship, and mortgage foreclosure cases in Alachua County. A 1993 graduate of the University of Florida’s law school, he previously presided over criminal cases throughout the circuit and civil matters in Alachua, Bradford, and Baker counties since April 2014. The Eighth Judicial Circuit covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. The application deadline is April 29 at noon. Late submissions will not be considered. Applications are available online and should be submitted to [email protected].
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Legislature
STATE WORKERS WHO SOLICIT CAMPAIGN CASH COULD FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES UNDER FLORIDA BILL
Miami Herald | Article | April 14, 2025
A bill moving through the Florida House, HB 1445, would impose criminal penalties on state employees who engage in political fundraising or campaign activities while on duty. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Mayfield follows reports that staffers in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration solicited donations for his presidential campaign and a committee tied to First Lady Casey DeSantis. The bill, which could be considered by the House as early as Wednesday [April 16], prohibits state employees from participating in political campaigns during work hours or using their positions to influence ballot issues. Violations could result in first-degree misdemeanor charges. The proposal does not apply to elected officials. Rep. Ashley Gantt expressed bipartisan support, citing the need to close loopholes. The bill also targets state-backed efforts opposing abortion and marijuana amendments. Attorney General James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ former chief of staff, and the governor’s office have not commented. The Florida Supreme Court previously declined to intervene in related legal challenges.
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Criminal Justice
FLORIDA JUDGE SENTENCES BUILDER OF DRUG SMUGGLING VESSELS TO 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
WPLG Local10 | Article | April 15, 2025
Juan Carlos Castro Vasquez of Colombia, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to traffic cocaine on vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Castro Vasquez was part of a transnational criminal organization that built and used go-fast, low-profile, and self-propelled semi-submersible vessels to transport cocaine from Colombia to Central America and Mexico via the eastern Pacific Ocean. U.S. authorities linked him to five cocaine smuggling attempts interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard, which involved over 9,500 kilograms of cocaine. He was arrested in Colombia in October 2022 and extradited to the United States in April 2024. Castro Vasquez pleaded guilty on December 11, 2024.
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Civil Justice
FLORIDA JUDGE BACKS MORE PROTECTIONS FOR MANATEES
News Service of Florida | Article | April 14, 2025
On Friday [April 11], Judge Carlos Mendoza ruled that the State of Florida violated the federal Endangered Species Act by failing to adequately regulate wastewater discharges into the Indian River Lagoon, threatening manatees. The 21-page decision, issued in Orlando, sided with environmental group Bear Warriors United, which filed the lawsuit in 2022. Mendoza said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) must obtain an incidental take permit (ITP) from federal wildlife officials to mitigate harm to manatees. He cited the continued decline of seagrass in the lagoon, primarily in Brevard County, due to nutrient pollution from wastewater. The judge noted that without nutrient reductions, harmful algal blooms will persist, preventing seagrass recovery. Florida recorded 1,100 manatee deaths in 2021, with numbers decreasing to 565 in 2024. FDEP argued it has taken steps to improve water quality and denied violating the Endangered Species Act. Mendoza called this a “quintessential case” for requiring an ITP.
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Criminal Justice
MILITARY INJURIES AT ISSUE AS EXECUTION NEARS
News Service of Florida | Article | April 14, 2025
Jeffrey Hutchinson’s attorneys have filed additional appeals at the Florida Supreme Court to halt his May 1 execution for the 1998 murders of Renee Flaherty and her three children in Crestview, Okaloosa County. Hutchinson, a Gulf War veteran, received three death sentences and one life sentence. On March 31, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant. The latest appeal, filed Monday [April 14], argues that executing Hutchinson would violate the Eighth Amendment due to brain damage and mental illness from his military service, including Gulf War Illness and blast-related injuries. The Attorney General’s Office opposes the appeal, stating Hutchinson’s brain dysfunction was known during his 2001 trial and would not alter his death sentences. A separate appeal was filed last week after Circuit Judge Lacey Powell Clark denied a motion to vacate his sentence. Another appeal followed a post-warrant ruling by Clark. The Supreme Court has not indicated when it will decide.